New book: Dandelion Heart
From Parliament to publishers: Kelly Vincent returns with revealing new book
Former Member of the South Australian Parliament and disability rights advocate, Kelly Vincent, is thrilled to announce the release of her first book.
Dandelion Heart, part of Debut Books' Mini Collection, is a short but powerful collection of essays and poetry based on Kelly's experience as a physically disabled and autistic person, exploring themes from body image, sex and relationships, and mental health. Kelly, who since leaving Parliament has become Creative Director of theatre company True Ability and focused increasingly on her arts career, says Dandelion Heart was challenging but important to write.
"The book is deeply personal," she said, "and exactly for that reason, I hope it translates into other people's experiences as well. This book is not so much about disability itself as it is about disability serving as a lens to amplify and inform a kaleidoscope of human experiences. I want this book to be about making mistakes. About learning through living. About challenging perceptions, the way in which we are perceived by others and by ourselves."
Kelly says the journey toward visibility and acceptance by society and by oneself is an ongoing journey for all people, especially those who are marginalised.
"Dandelion Heart is by no means a complete guide to disability as a topic. It isn't even a complete collection of my thoughts and feelings about my own disabilities," she said, "it is intended as a snapshot of some of the more formative experiences I have had in learning to embrace disability as a part of my identity."
Kelly says Dandelion Heart is 'a love letter to all the minds and bodies society is still trying to force into a mould long broken.'
Dandelion Heart will be available in paperback through Debut Books and ebook via all major platforms from 16 August 2021.
A yellow book on a green background. White writing on the cover reads “Dandelion Heart, Kelly Vincent”, The Debut Books logo is at the botton. Below, bold text reads “16 August 2021”.
